A Latvian expression that translates as “Did a bear stomp on your ear?” is a more colorful, though no more kind, way to tell someone they have no ear for music. Also heard in Latvia is an idiom that translates as “You’re blowing little ducks,” meaning, “You’re talking nonsense.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Latvian Expressions”
A couple of Latvian expressions I like, they translate as, did a bear stomp on your ear?
Which means you don’t have an ear for music, you can’t sing.
Did a bear stomp on your ear?
And another one is that if you’re talking nonsense or you’re lying, you’re blowing little ducks.
Blowing, like they’re cracking, making little cracking noises?
I don’t know.
It’s like, I don’t know.
I pictured downy feathers flying, you know, just blowing little ducks.
That’s Latvian?
Yeah.
Latvian.
I’m going to Latvia to find out more.
Are you?
Yeah.
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